Kathy Buckard
March 2025 - Three is Company
About the Image(s)
We went to the Alligator Farm this week in Saint Augustine hoping to catch some action of flying birds building their nests for the upcoming season. It was a complete washout. Very little action. I was a beautiful day, so we toured the whole park and caught these wood ducks playing in one of the ponds. Plan to go back to Alligator Farm in another month as there were only a few Wood Stork, Spoon Bills, Egrets starting to build their nests.
Nikon D500, Lens - 70-300, Shutter Priority, ISO 400. Speed 1/4000, F Stop F4.5
5 comments posted
Kathy, indeed the Alligator Farm in St Augustin Florida is a photographers paradise specially during matting season (now) and when there is a lot of activity of nests building, eggs hatching and feeding the chicks. Also at this time they have the photographer's pass which allows you to enter the facility one hour before they open to the public and stay until sunset. Normally they close at five.
The wood duck I would say it is the most beautiful and photogenic of the ducks. Your title tells the story. I added some light to the birds to enhance the colors, and did a tighter crop. Posted: 03/09/2025 11:31:16
The wood duck I would say it is the most beautiful and photogenic of the ducks. Your title tells the story. I added some light to the birds to enhance the colors, and did a tighter crop. Posted: 03/09/2025 11:31:16
Adding the light definitely enhances the image and brightens the colors. Will keep that in mind when I have dark backgrounds in the future. Posted: 03/10/2025 18:05:40
A lovely capture of the birds and I concur with the suggestion by Isaac. Well done Posted: 03/19/2025 11:52:28
It is a beautiful image, I really like the colorful heads. The composition of them going different directions is very pleasing and gives a sense of movement to the image. I agree with Isaac's tighter crop. Posted: 03/19/2025 23:49:09
Hi Kathy - Your ducks are lovely - and I believe Isaac has made the most of your three with his tighter cropping and lightening suggestions. This is a knockout shot! Posted: 03/25/2025 00:46:39